BIZ Annual General Meeting

We held the 20th Annual Downtown Winnipeg BIZ AGM this week, and I am more confident than ever about the important role the BIZ has played in the growth and promotion of downtown.

The BIZ unveiled its 2010 plan, a budget of over $2.8 million, with over 50 programs and initiatives to deliver on our motto –"we are the host" of downtown.

Our success has been in growing our programs through partnerships. We are stronger today in every sense of the word, because of the commitment of our business community and the help from our partners.

Improving safety and cleaning up downtown are our two most important priorities at the BIZ. Over 60 per cent of our budget is dedicated to these two areas. Marketing our downtown is our third biggest line item.

Seven short years ago, the BIZ had two full-time staff and little equipment to clean downtown in addition to what the city does. Today, the BIZ employs almost 30 people, a fleet of small vehicles, that operate for the greater part of the year, and the city is doing even more. And our downtown is looking darn clean. Yes, we know this must continue and we need to do more. But for the first time, we are encouraging citizens and our members to be part of the solution, because we now have the resources to respond and to do it quickly.

Our safety programs have exploded with over 25 Watch, including a 10-unit bike patrol, an evening patrol, 150 volunteer Watch, and 10 Outreach workers with the power of arrest under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act. Our Downtown Safety Network (DSN) is now challenging all downtown security providers to communicate more and exchange information to reduce crime. Crime is down again--21 per cent this year. Of all crimes that occurs in our city, only 4 per cent occur downtown. We have provided the community with the 958-SAFE number to call for any safety issues downtown.

Forty-eight other program are undertaken annually. These too are important and are making their mark. If you are really interested and have some time, click here to view our PowerPoint presentation highlighting all we do. These are the core areas we try to excel at in delivering our services.

The BIZ champions for continued growth and revitalization. Our advocacy and conviction is straightforward as well. Things we advocate for include:

1. More community foot patrols to help us address the awkwardness and fear some feel when they come downtown

2. A long-term solution to the social issues that create that fear and uncertainty

3. More development and re-development activity within the context of placemaking and urbanism principles, especially housing.

Creating more reasons for people to live, work and be entertained downtown is THE most important element in bringing more people to the core, enhancing safety, increasing sales, and leading to more retail development to service these people. The success of the last five years and over $1.2 billion in re-development downtown is a testament to this goal.